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mali33102's reviews
284 reviews
Like Home by Megan Bowen
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
This was a really fun book to read! I really enjoyed the light-hearted and fast-paced nature of this book. If you are looking for a fluffy romance with low stakes, this one is for you.
Our main character, Summer is newly single after finally having enough of her ex, and the father of her daughter, Jared. A romance book enthusiast, Summer feels like she deserves better in her love life. Enter, Ryan. Ryan is moving back to his hometown in the hopes of putting down roots. When the two of them meet in a chance encounter, sparks fly. Not only does Ryan treat Summer the way that she's always dreamed for, but he's a looker, too. ;)
Now we enter our conflict: Jared is finally realizing what he's lost now that Summer is gone and with someone new. Now he will stop at nothing to get her back.
I think that this book was so well-done. Both of our main characters have common sense, so there's never any frustrating miscommunication tropes (which I despise). Also, Summer and Jared always put their daughter first, regardless of what's happening between the two of them. It was really refreshing to see good parenting represented in a book like this!
Also, by the end of the book, I was rooting for Jared almost as much as I was rooting for Summer and Ryan. Bowen does a great job of writing realistic and relatable characters that have flaws, but also have strong character growth throughout.
I received an ARC copy of Like Home to read and review. Everything in this review are my own personal thoughts.
Our main character, Summer is newly single after finally having enough of her ex, and the father of her daughter, Jared. A romance book enthusiast, Summer feels like she deserves better in her love life. Enter, Ryan. Ryan is moving back to his hometown in the hopes of putting down roots. When the two of them meet in a chance encounter, sparks fly. Not only does Ryan treat Summer the way that she's always dreamed for, but he's a looker, too. ;)
Now we enter our conflict: Jared is finally realizing what he's lost now that Summer is gone and with someone new. Now he will stop at nothing to get her back.
I think that this book was so well-done. Both of our main characters have common sense, so there's never any frustrating miscommunication tropes (which I despise). Also, Summer and Jared always put their daughter first, regardless of what's happening between the two of them. It was really refreshing to see good parenting represented in a book like this!
Also, by the end of the book, I was rooting for Jared almost as much as I was rooting for Summer and Ryan. Bowen does a great job of writing realistic and relatable characters that have flaws, but also have strong character growth throughout.
I received an ARC copy of Like Home to read and review. Everything in this review are my own personal thoughts.
The Great Gimmelmans by Lee Matthew Goldberg
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
The Great Gimmelmans is a story that combines so many things into one. Complex family relationships, a cross-country roadtrip, conversations about mental health, drug use/abuse, seeing adults from childrens' perspectives, heists, death, and conversations about religion and believing in a higher power. Just looking at that list, it seems impossible that one could weave so many intricate stories into one without it being messy. Somehow, Lee Matthew Goldberg achieves clear prose with riveting storytelling while delving into each of these topics.
The Great Gimmelmans follows the Gimmelman family after the 1987 stock market crash. The family loses their fortune and are forced out of their home and into a ratty RV. On the road, they quickly find a new life of crime as they discover that they have a knack for robbing. As they attempt to secure their fortunes, the question of how far one should go for happiness arises, and each member of the family has a different answer.
---
I had a lot of fun with this book! I thought that it was well-written and in a voice that kept me invested and wanting to read more. The conversations about religion and parenting were especially of interest to me, and the way that things unfolded had me feeling introspective and ultimately satisfied by the end.
One of the only critiques I had for the book was the ages of the kids that we follow. We are in the perspective of the middle child, Aaron, the entire time, and he is supposed to be 12. The things that he said and the things that he did just didn't track with someone who is 12, and that tripped me up a lot throughout. The other kids in the family were similar in my opinion. Despite that, I was still able to thoroughly enjoy this book, even though it is out of my normal genres that I like to read.
I would definitely suggest this to anyone who wants a book that is more that it seems, and is okay with reading about characters with questionable morals.
3.75 stars!
The Great Gimmelmans follows the Gimmelman family after the 1987 stock market crash. The family loses their fortune and are forced out of their home and into a ratty RV. On the road, they quickly find a new life of crime as they discover that they have a knack for robbing. As they attempt to secure their fortunes, the question of how far one should go for happiness arises, and each member of the family has a different answer.
---
I had a lot of fun with this book! I thought that it was well-written and in a voice that kept me invested and wanting to read more. The conversations about religion and parenting were especially of interest to me, and the way that things unfolded had me feeling introspective and ultimately satisfied by the end.
One of the only critiques I had for the book was the ages of the kids that we follow. We are in the perspective of the middle child, Aaron, the entire time, and he is supposed to be 12. The things that he said and the things that he did just didn't track with someone who is 12, and that tripped me up a lot throughout. The other kids in the family were similar in my opinion. Despite that, I was still able to thoroughly enjoy this book, even though it is out of my normal genres that I like to read.
I would definitely suggest this to anyone who wants a book that is more that it seems, and is okay with reading about characters with questionable morals.
3.75 stars!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Child abuse, Child death, Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Panic attacks/disorders, Violence, Blood, Murder, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Addiction, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, and Gaslighting